1 AND it came to pass that they [Who Alma and Amulek, and the seven other missionaries names in Alma 31:6-7] did go forth, and began to preach the word of God unto the people, [The Zoramites at the city Antionum. iWhat was currently being taught among the people? What did those who taught in the synagogues believe? There would be no Christ, They were better than everyone else, they were Holy, they were an elect people, they were saved, they did not believe in the foolish traditions of their fathers. Alma 31:16-18 How hard would it be to try and do missionary work among a group like that? What are some of the obsticles that you would need to first overcome? the humble are teachable - the proud usually are not.] entering into their synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach the word in their streets. [Where does Alma go to preach? It seems like everywhere they could. one more conformation that the people were not ready because it did not matter where they went no one really wanted to listen, and then... Who did they find success in teaching? Why did they find succes with them? ]

2 And it came to pass that after much labor among them, they began to have success among the poor class of people; for behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel—

3 Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their synagogues to worship God, [Why do some things that appear to be a curse really act as a blessing? What blessing came to those who were not permitted to worship in the synagogues? 1) the people were not really worshiping God in the synagogues so they were not lead away 2) by being humble they were willing and able to accept the spirit - as opposed to being more holy than thou. Any one had any things that appearred to b a curse but turned out to be a blessing that they would like to share?] being esteemed as filthiness; therefore they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as dross; [ What is dross? welding metal it is the impurities that float to the top- scumb ] therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they were poor in heart. [What does it mean to be poor in heart? the "heart" represents one's courage or enthusiasm, the seat of one's feelings. If you are poor in heart, then you're unhappy or depressed. How does satan use the concept of making us feel worthless to accomplish his plans? How or what can we do to overcome those feelings? Understand the plan of salvation, the purpose of this life, that we are children of God]

4 Now, as Alma was teaching and speaking unto the people upon the hill Onidah, [ Alma 47:5 it says "they fled to Onidah, the place of arms". Regarding "onidah", This might be the same hill, but it seems unlikely as this hill is on the edge of Nephite territory in Antionum near a wilderness inhabited by Lamanites (cf. 31:3) where the hill Onidah in 47:5 is located relatively nearby the Lamanite king's palace which would certainly be deep inside established Lamanite territory. This suggests "onidah" is a word that means something pertinent and is not just arbitrary or after someone's name. In 47:5 it says "they fled to Onidah, the place of arms". This suggests "onidah" means "place of arms". The name might be related to the Hebrew "nadan" (cf. Strong's 5084) which means "sheath", as in the sheath of a sword (uniquely appearing in 1 Chron 21:27, the more common term translated to the English "sheath" is the Hebrew "tahar", although it does not appear to differentiate at all between the knife/sword and it's sheath except by context, see Strong's 8593). And, since the Zoramites were living on the edge of Nephite civilization and near to a "wilderness...full of the Lamanites" (cf. 31:3) then it stands to reason they would have an armory. So if we speculate that we are at an armory, then their would likely be military people around at their specific posts. Maybe this is whom Alma begins to address. This could explain who the first multitude was whom Alma was talking to, and why they were something of a captive audience with little interest in his message. If there was a standing army, or this was where weapons were manufactured then Alma would have a group of people who weren't really able to leave, but who also weren't particularly interested in what he had to say. so, when presented with the group of poor people, he immediately gave up on these others who were a captive audience with no real interest.] there came a great multitude unto him, who were those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the world.

READ Alma 32:5-11

5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the foremost among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my brethren do, for they are despised of all men because of their poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; [What was the assumption of the people then? Their assumption was that in order to worship you needed a formal place for such activity. Alma will address this further in chapter 33 when he quotes Zenos. Since the priests, teachers, and leaders of the people were using religion as a means of promoting themselves (cf. 35:3), and they were teaching that all worship had to be regulated within the synagogue so as to exert their influence over the people. How did the construction of the Rameumptom further put restrictions on their worship? Constructing a "holy stand" makes it all the easier as then there is a physical location they can exercise control over.] and behold, what shall we do? [ What if you were kicked out of your wardhouse what would you do? What do you really need to worship? true worship is found in the heart The main question of this chapter. Alma is asked "What shall we do?" as we are blocked from worship]

6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about, his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that they were in a preparation to hear the word. [Alma uses the phrase "in a preparation to hear the word", what does the lord allow to happen in our lives that might keep us humble? Death, trials, life experiences ]

7 Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude; but he stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those whom he beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:

8 I behold that ye are lowly in heart; [What does it mean to be lowly in heart? Are we to be overun and taken advantage of by others? one of the charistics of the Savior Matt 11:29 Elder Neal A. Maxwell has told us being meek and lowly of heart does not mean being used or abused--or being a "doormat" for others. "Meekness," he says, "is more than self-restraint; it is the presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness, reflecting certitude, strength, serenity, and a healthy self-esteem and self-control" ("Meekness--A Dimension of True Discipleship," Ensign, March 1983, p. 71; emphasis added) ] and if so, blessed are ye. [ Why is being lowly in heart a blessing? See Alma 7:23 The Lord reveals his secrets to the meek, for they are "easy to be entreated" Anything that brings us closer to God is considered a blessing]

9 Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?—for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God.

10 Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only? [ What is the underlying message for us here about our relationship with God? if we can have much more confidence in the presence of God, then we will not be nearly so dependent upon nor need the approval, the acceptance, and the admiration of men. If our relationship with God is strong, do we need a building? ]

11 And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week? [ What point is Alma making here? Trying to make the point that you need to worship all the time not just one day a week. As such you would not go to the synagogue every day, so since you should worship every day, and you would not otherwise go to the synagogue every day - then see you can worship without it. See Almas response in Alma 33:2 - ]

12 I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn wisdom; [What is the wisdom that he is suggesting that they learn? What role does humility place in this process? That not only were they not self-sufficient here and that they could not save themselves, that happiness and eternal rewards come thru the atonement and mercies from God and the Savior. sometimes it is the set backs in life that place us where we need to be - For example Joseph Smiths family lost farm after farm until they arrives at the base of the hill cummorah which was where they needed to be. ] for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be humble.

13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; [ How does Almas message contrast with what is being taught by the Zoramite leaders? While others teach that mercy is a gift just bestowed on every man, that it is given unconditionly; denys God the right to judge, to meat out justice to the wicked and the un-righteous, that all are given the same reward. It just is not so we must repent to be entitled to Gods mercy - there is no other way because as we repent we bind ourselves under his graces - we transfer so to speak our sins. ] and he that findeth mercy [ How did Alma say we could find that mercy? by repenting] and endureth to the end the same shall be saved.

14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word? [ Why is it better to humble ourselves than to be compelled to be humble? see verse 15-16]

15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.

16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, [What does it mean to be stubborn of heart? to resist the impressions of the spirit Different types of converts? 1)Those that hear the words believe it and change at all costs, they progress quickly both before and after baptism 2) Those that hear it and fight it by needing more intelligectual proof, their progress is slow some even become to be know as professional investigators.] yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe. [Why are some compelled to be humble and others appear to be left alone by the hand of the Lord?]

[Alma begins to teach what it means to have faith

At this point what does Alma have to work with as far as for missionary work? What condition are the people in? : Humble, Been taught there would be no Christ, They were better than everyone else, they were Holy, they were an elect people, they were saved. Even though he has turned his attention to the humble one's - some of those beliefs will be carried forward since that is how they have been taught.]

17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, [What is the problem with seeking a sign? even after we see a sign we can dismiss it as acidential, or explain it in so many different ways that it rarely does any good unless we are in the right frame of mind in the first place - them we don't really need a sign any way, Every one who ask for a sign with Amulek and Alma when they were cast into prison and then had the walls falls down and they walked out without being hurt - Did that sign do anything for the people in the land of Ammonihah? No they just went about their merry way - even though they had a little fear for a few minutes. Also Korihor (cf. 34:43-48), who died among them (cf. 30:59)] then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

18 Now I ask, is this faith? [ how would you answer that question? ] Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it. [ Why does the Lord work on the principles of belief, hope and faith? maintain our agency, we learn to trust, we have to listen to a small voice makes us tune our senses to how the Lord works]

19 And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, [ How would God put some in jepordary if he were to give everyone a complete knowledge of all things at once? The laws apply according to our knowledge, that is why the Lord only reveals things piecemeal, line upon line, D&C 82:3] than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?

20 Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; [The law of equality - the same laws that apply to the left hand apply to the right hand ] and it shall be unto every man according to his work.

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; [ Are faith and perfect knowledge then incompatible with each other? No God has all knowledge and yet Joseph Smith declared in lectures on faith that "It (faith) is the principle by which God exercises power over all temporal as well as eternal things" Lectures On Faith 1:16 But Who is Alma talking too here, how much do they understand the principle of faith at this time? So he is starting to build a foundation for them What are the three principles that faith is based on as taught by Joseph Smith? A: 1)the idea of the existence of God 2) a correct idea of his character, perfections and attributes 3) an actual knowledge that the course in life that one is pursuing is according to God's will Lectures On Faith 3:2-5] therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, [Like what do you hope for? What is the definition of hope in this context? It is not worldly hope - or wishing, but rather assurance, it is not just simply positive thinking, anticipation, expectation, confidence, What are those things that we as LDS hope for that we personally have not seen? we hope that we are better people by keeping the commandments, eternal life, atonement, second coming, ] which are true. [ What does trueth have to do with hope then?

The limiting factor - what is the only source of all trueth? So in essense a hope for the things of God]

22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.

23 And now, he imparteth his word by angels [See Alma 12:29 The Lords set Angels to teach men what he would have them do to return to him, and he started sending angels to do this work right after the fall of Adam. ] unto men, yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little children do have words given unto them many times, which confound the wise and the learned. [Who can have faith then? men, women and children, age or gender is not a requirment. A jab at the priests and the priestcraft of the Zoramites - who have set themselves up (the priests) as the exclusive rulers and instruments of God for the people, and then exercise unrighteous dominion upon them. As to Angels see also 2 Ne. 32:2-3 for Nephi's thoughts on the "tongue of angels". What have your children said to you that have confounded you? Madden papa holding him at night when he was a baby. Cooper - Do you ever think what spiritual capacity is available if you could learn to listen they way children listen? ]

24 And now, my beloved brethren, as ye have desired to know of me what ye shall do because ye are afflicted and cast out—now I do not desire that ye should suppose that I mean to judge you only according to that which is true— [he has stereotyped them - because as a group all are poor as to the things of the world, so he is trying to say that while it is true that they are all poor, that some of them would have listened even of they were not among the poor ]

25 For I do not mean that ye all of you have been compelled to humble yourselves; [ I don't mean to or I am not implying that you are all of the same stature as far as having to be compelled. ] for I verily believe that there are some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in whatsoever circumstances they might.

Read Alma 32:26-27

26 Now, as I said concerning faith—that it was not a perfect knowledge—even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge.

27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, [you have to put some effort into the process - come out of that deep spiritual sleep that you are in] even to an experiment upon my words, [Prove me wrong or right unto yourself] and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to , [ What is the first step? - desire] let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. [ What is he comparing here? The comparison here is "the word" or the gospel, the doctrine of the gospel so to speak is compared to a seed.] Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, [ What is the seed that he is encouraging them to plant? That Jesus is the son of God and as such he was assigned a mission from the Father which is defined in see Alma 33:22-23] behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; [ What happens when the seed begins to enlarge your soul? What does that feel like? The good from the seed will replace the bad things in your soul. How many times in the scriptures do or have we seen that after someone prayers and their sins are forgiven that they turn to their fellowmen for their salvation? The thoughts of doing bad to others is replaced by the thought of doing good for others...] yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, [ How are we enlightened as we experiment upon the word? as we experiment on the word we begin to understand the reason for the commandments and we begin to follow them for a different reason, because they begin to feel right] yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. [See also Matt 13: Parable of the Mustard seed.]

29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.

Read Alma 32:30-31

30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness. [ If we apply our understanding in our discussion of seeds (corn seed becomes corn, bean a bean...), what will this seed help us to become? We begin to become like Christ - because Christ is the seed. You receive his image in your countenance. ]

32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.

33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. [ so what is the test then? The result of the seed.]

Read Alma 32:34-37

34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, [ What point is Alma making here - "your knowledge perfect in that thing"? That principle, That the seed has swelled and sprouted and started to grow. it has enlarged itself within you, and you know this now. Line upon line - you know that thing, but not all things yet! ] and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. [you begin to understand and become like God, expreiencing his feelings - you bein to connect the dots of things that sound familiar - those with a familiar spiri fro your pre- mortal life.]

35 O then, is not this real? [ How real are your spiritual experiences to you? How hard are they to explain? Does that make them less real?] I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; [ And were does this light come from? God who is the source of all light.] and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, [ How is it discernable? because we can tell the difference, the way we feel is different. How discernable is light when you are in a dark room? ] therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good. [At this point are we done? No we have only started, we have only exercised the faith to determine if there really is a Savior What do we know about seeds and the germination process? seeds only have enough energy to give it life to sprout and then sustain it for a very short time. So without the presence of soil, sun, water and other nutrients it will only sprout and the die. Does a seed sprout then instantly become a tree, or produce corn or whatever? No it takes time, it is a process How does that relate to what we must do with our faith? How do we nourish and nuture faith? prayer, study, keeping the commandments]

37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, [ What symbolism do we have with the tree? the tree of life as he tasted from it in verse 35, also The tree is symbolic that it is much bigger, stronger. It is an obvious plant, immovable. ] ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. [ What is the ultimate goal that comes from planting the seed? To bring forth the fruit. What is the fruit? The atonement, that we can become like him, that we can be resurrected, that we can inherit all that he has - in other words everything that the Savior provided us thru his obedience to the plan]

 

Read Alma 32: 38-39

38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, [ so if you plant the seed, and it sprouts and then dies whose fault is it? Yours Why? because you did not continue to nourish it] and ye will not nourish the tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, [see Alma 13:16 "and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord."] ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

Read Alma 32:41-43

41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, [ Why do we need patience? Does not all happen at once Are there ever any times in growing a tree, that things happen beyond our control? insects, too much heat, not enough heat, too much water, not enough water] looking forward to the fruit thereof, [ Drawing reference to the Tree of Life which Lehi saw. 1 Ne. 8 the word of God, represented by the rod of iron in that vision and by the seed in Alma’s discourse, leads to the Savior, represented by the tree of life.] it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. [ What does the trees purpose become? To provide everlasting or eternal life What is our purpose in this life? To live worthy to obtain eternal life - Isn't it interesting that the purpose of the tree is the same as the purpose of our mortal existence. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught, “In this brilliant discourse, Alma moves the reader from a general commentary on faith in the seedlike word of God to a focused discourse on faith in Christ as the Word of God” (Christ and the New Covenant [1997], 169).]

42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, [every fruit that is precious and sweet comes from the divine sonship provided by the Savior. one other note on fruit. fruit has seeds in it that can produce more and more and more fruit forever and ever, eternally - literally without end - hence the notion that we too can have eternal increase] that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. [ In otherwords, in the end you have done a good job, you have performed your labors well, you like the little red hen are treated to the rewards of your labors, you get the best of all that is good. Is this not the definition of our journey here in mortal life, to become like Christ? What is sweeter than the spirit testifying of a trueth? What is purer than inspiration and revelation? What is whiter than the white as seen on the other side - the white which cannot be explained or comprehended? see also Isa. 55:1-2 ]

43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you. [ What must we also understand about the process? - in the fact that the fruit does not come until after we have a tree, until after the plant has matured and has the strength to produc and bear the fruit? a tree does not happen over night - it takes faith, diligence and patience - in other words time]

18 But behold, this is not all; these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the son of God.

19 Behold, he [The son of God] was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, [ What was that type? the brass serpent] that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.

20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.

21 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, [referencing acient Israel who refused to look to the brass serpent so they might live.] would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?

22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the son of God, [the seed is to believe in the following 1) Jesus is the literal son of God 2) he took on an earthly body in order to redeem his people 3) he suffered in Gethsame for our sins and then died to atone for our sins 4) he took up his body on the third day that we too may be resurrected 5) he will be our judge meeting out both mercy and justice] that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. [ What is the importance of each of these beliefs? ]

23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, [Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. How does pondering on the notion that Jesus is our Savior and redeemer give us rest and make our burdens light? knowing that we can be forgiven of our mistakes and live with him again provides alot of comfort, What does the atonement cover? Sin, sorrow, suffering, heart-ache, ramifications from other peoples sin, worry, ] through the joy of his son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.